Ecuador is set for a presidential runoff election on Sunday, as citizens choose between conservative incumbent Daniel Noboa and leftist lawyer Luisa González. The country is grappling with a severe security crisis fueled by the surging cocaine trade, which has led to the highest homicide rate in Latin America in 2023.
Noboa, who won a special election in 2023 to complete his predecessor’s term, has taken a hardline approach to combating crime, adopting a “mano dura” strategy. However, critics argue that this approach is ineffective and has led to further violence. González, on the other hand, has proposed a more preventative approach, focusing on social spending and diplomatic efforts to address the crisis.
The two candidates have also engaged in heated rhetoric, with Noboa questioning the legitimacy of the first round’s results and both candidates making unfounded claims of election fraud. Experts worry that this could lead to a disputed outcome, potentially sparking widespread strikes and unrest if either candidate fails to concede.
González has attempted to distance herself from her former mentor, Nayib Bukele’s authoritarian style in El Salvador, promising a more diplomatic approach to addressing the gangs. However, some argue that she may be just as hardline as Noboa, citing Correa’s own record of building massive prisons and increasing the prison population.
The outcome of the election will be closely watched, both domestically and internationally, as Ecuador’s security crisis continues to worsen. With tensions running high, citizens are eagerly awaiting the results of this critical vote, which could determine the future of the country’s fragile democracy.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/11/americas/ecudaor-election-noboa-gonzalez-president-intl-latam/index.html